National Basketball Association

Report: Lakers expected to offer Jimmy Butler max contract

Published May. 11, 2015 6:49 p.m. ET

foxsports

By Larry Brown

Jimmy Butler has developed into one of the top players in the NBA, so it’s no surprise that teams would be interested in him. According to a report, the Lakers are one of those teams.

Real GM’s Shams Charania reports that the Lakers are among the teams expected to give Butler a max offer sheet during the offseason:

Outside of Chicago, teams are already preparing possible maximum-salary offer sheets for Butler in free agency, including the Los Angeles Lakers as one of several expected suitors, league sources told RealGM.

The only issue here to consider is that Butler is a restricted free agent, so other teams would only have the chance to sign him to an offer sheet. The Bulls would still have the ability to match any offer. Additionally, Butler has made it seem like he wants to remain in Chicago.

“This is a place for me. I love playing with the guys that we have,” he said to USA Today in a story published Saturday. “They continue to bring in great, high character guys that fit the team role. I love it here. I’m happy to be here.”

Maybe Butler will end up staying in Chicago, but he will have plenty of suitors if he thinks about leaving.

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